Prayer Request: Retreat

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Maria Immaculata, Ora Pro Nobis. (Source)

I haven’t been as active on this blog as I had hoped for the last week or so, but I do have several good posts in store. In the meantime, please do pray for me. I’m off to Ireland for a retreat in honor of the Immaculate Conception, and I would appreciate your prayers as I spend this time unplugging and drawing near to Our Lord in His Blessed Infancy.

I noticed yesterday that I’ve accidentally timed the whole thing rather well. I leave England on the feast of St. Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester. He baptized Cynegils, King of the West Saxons, in what is now Dorchester on Thames, only a short bus ride from Oxford. I leave Ireland to return home to the United States on the feast of St. Juan Diego, the first indigenous saint of the Americas (and a deeply Marian one at that). And of course, the culmination of the retreat falls on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, America’s patronal feast. Providence works through these kinds of coincidences.

557px-The_Immaculate_Conception,_by_Giovanni_Battista_Tiepolo,_from_Prado_in_Google_Earth

The Immaculate Conception, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c.1767. I love Our Lady’s expression –  a mixture of humility before the Spirit above and regal contempt for the Devil at her feet. (Source)

Additionally, by a quirk of the academic calendar, this year is the first time in my life that I will have a genuine Advent. Since seventh grade, I’ve had exams deep into December. Since I became Catholic four and a half years ago, I haven’t had the chance to experience this season for what it is, a time of profound peace, penance, and prayer in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. All of which prompts me to beg for your prayers.

Our Lady, Immaculate, pray for us.
Our Lady, Theotokos, pray for us.
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.

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Immaculate Conception, José Claudio Antolinez, 17th century. (Source)

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5 thoughts on “Prayer Request: Retreat

  1. Son Alroyd desperate dangerous situation obtains steady secured job, successful in ship-training copes with heavy financial crisis family problems; his eldest daughter Aamena 5th grade copes studies writing work, healed completely of all illnesses including two tiny tots zara and mahinoor. Above all threatening moslem wife with 3 gal kids and her mother relatives surrenders accepts Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour have own home and be responsible, without threats harms live in peace and harmony
    daughter, Asmitha in Ozzie with hubby Abie are blessed with gift of child, peace, joy, hope, understanding, supportive to one another, secured in their homes/workplaces, obtain permanent jobs; settle with own home from available (but) blocked resources. Abie is healed of migraines due to stress as of not having job of his profession and all body ailments.
    Eldest sis Josephine surrenders to Lord Jesus in repentance, forgiveness from deceased parents, in-laws and spouse Patrick and entire family, prays together attend church service and be responsible that both daughter Lourdes and son Linus jobless, unmarried, both frustrated uttering muttering shouting all by himself are totally delivered from all bondages, forgiven, healed completely obtains jobs and be responsible live in peace and harmony.
    Jason undergone surgery for abdominal intestinal be healed of suspected malignant tumour in other areas of abdomen and blessed.
    Also a close neighbour Teodolinda Rodrigues suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease undergoing Hemo Dialysis thrice a week lifelong or till Kidney Transplant Surgery is undertaken rejected of all local bodies of financial support is healed totally; also an office Hindu female office mate Dipti suffering from liver ailment – are both healed totally submit themselves to Our Lord Jesus Christ and give glory to Abba Father and the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.
    I too (Julian) may be repentant, forgiven and healed of my left side throat infection and pain.
    That my old dad’s tenants building landlord repair board raising funds from tenants get repairs done honestly by reluctant Landlord, Architect, Contractor, we tenants facing blackmail threats from self-interested tenants and Repairs Board Executive Engineer bent on cheating us. My own home Mira Road Ave Maria due to terrace rain leakages concrete slabs peeling falling are repaired by negligent Society Committee authority oozing danger life and limbs Tenant harassing Ravi Shetty vacated peacefully and does not trouble me. My hometown Goa house concerned authorities will release the share certificates which they are deliberately holding long in the names of son Alroyd and daughter Asmitha without hassles and peacefully and plot 41 with garage.
    Thank you and God bless you one and all.

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  2. please intervene God. I’m hurt inside, i am so tired to cover everything by pretending and no matter how hard I pray nothing seems to be working, please pray for Damianus aditya christie and me. I have been waiting for reconciliation and peace for me and him, I have been struggling with pain for the past 3 years. I know You knows my pain God, You always know what was happened because You see everything a most hidden corner, Father you say, knock and the door will be opened to you. I come with a broken heart, I feel hopeless and emptyness. i depend on you and still hope, if God deign, please God soften and touch Damianus aditya christie heart for me, He means a lot to me. I really love him and disappointed to him at the same time. I can’t touch his heart, only God can change people’s hearts. i know that prayer is a powerful thing, please help me face things that are beyond my capabilities. because God, You have power to help me. if you do not want this reconciliation to happen, please give me strength to overcome the bitterness. Teach me how to remain grateful when the hardest one, teach me to love You more than anything. I really need a miracle, thank you

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  3. please intervene God. I’m hurt inside, i am so tired to cover everything by pretending and no matter how hard I pray nothing seems to be working, please pray for Damianus aditya christie and me. I have been waiting for reconciliation and peace for me and him, I have been struggling with pain for the past 3 years. I know You knows my pain God, You always know what was happened because You see everything a most hidden corner, Father you say, knock and the door will be opened to you. I come with a broken heart, I feel hopeless and emptyness. i depend on you and still hope, if God deign, please God soften and touch Damianus aditya christie heart for me, He means a lot to me. I really love him and disappointed to him at the same time. I can’t touch his heart, only God can change people’s hearts. i know that prayer is a powerful thing, please help me face things that are beyond my capabilities. because God, You have power to help me. if you do not want this reconciliation to happen, please give me strength to overcome the bitterness. Teach me how to remain grateful when the hardest one, teach me to love You more than anything. I really need a miracle, thank you

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  4. Hi there can you pray that I will successfully study in the states of Arkansas pray that this will definitely take place in my life. Pray that majority of my life will be spend in the South.

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